AZB & Partners Mumbai-based competition lawyer Rahul Rai, has announced internally that he would step down from partnership and take up counsel position at the firm instead (for now).

He focuses on several facets of competition law compliance, including merger control and and anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance. He also handles some trade disputes.

We understand from our sources that in the longer term Rai is looking to transition to becoming an independent arguing counsel.

Notwithstanding that (and although we have no information whatsoever that he is looking to move laterally to another firm), there continues to be high demand for senior competition lawyers at top Indian law firms, so calls from headhunters will certainly be coming in.

Compared to the competition lateral moves between firms in recent years, competition partners going independent has been rarer. But with supreme and high court senior counsel increasingly looking to get in on the competition action, there should be high demand (and fees available) for skilled arguing counsel.

We have reached out to Rai and AZB Mumbai managing partner Zia Mody for comment.

By reading the comments you agree that they are the (often anonymous) personal views and opinions of readers, which may be biased and unreliable, and for which Legally India therefore has no liability. If you believe a comment is inappropriate, please click 'Report to LI' below the comment and we will review it as soon as practicable.

I must give it to Zia to manage the publicity around her Firm, both positive and negative.. whether its coverage of negative news, or reporting higher deal numbers, she just aces it somehow, despite not having any permanent staff or team to do the same.

Interesting to note that somehow Ajay does not get the same brand prestige association that Zia manages from AZB, despite Ajay punching above his weight for both deal numbers and values.